India is witnessing a significant transformation in its healthcare landscape through the integration of Ayush systems with allopathic medicine. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Ayush, aims to bridge the gap between traditional and modern medical sciences, offering patients a more holistic approach to treatment. The Ayush system includes Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, which are now being incorporated into mainstream medical frameworks to enhance accessibility, efficacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This ambitious integration is being implemented through hospital partnerships, research collaborations, policy frameworks, and infrastructural advancements to ensure evidence-based medical practice.
Institutional mechanisms for integration
A significant step in this integration process is the establishment of the Ayush Vertical under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). This institutional framework, developed jointly by the Ministry of Ayush and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), is responsible for overseeing Ayush-specific public health programs, technical support, educational training, and policy implementation. Additionally, the government has introduced Integrated Ayush Departments in Central Government Hospitals, such as Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, where Ayush services are supported by the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi. Similarly, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, collaborates with the Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi, to ensure seamless integration of Ayush therapies in patient care.
To institutionalise this integrative approach, an advisory committee under Dr. V.K. Paul, a member of NITI Aayog, has been formed to evaluate various models of Integrative Medicine, assess their effectiveness, and formulate recommendations for a national policy on integrative healthcare. This is further reinforced by the co-location of Ayush facilities within primary healthcare centers (PHCs), community health centers (CHCs), and district hospitals (DHs), which allows patients to access both allopathic and Ayush treatments under a single healthcare infrastructure. The National Health Mission (NHM) plays a crucial role in engaging and training Ayush doctors and paramedics, while the National Ayush Mission (NAM) funds infrastructure, equipment, and medicine supply to facilitate integration.
Research and evidence-based validation of Ayush therapies
The success of this integration relies heavily on research-backed validation of Ayush therapies. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has undertaken multiple studies to assess the efficacy of Ayurveda in combination with modern medicine. Key research projects include the integration of Ayurveda in tertiary care hospitals for osteoarthritis management at Safdarjung Hospital, reproductive and child health services in Himachal Pradesh, and the incorporation of Ayush interventions in the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS).
A notable initiative in this regard is the Ayush-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research (AI-ACIHR) at AIIMS, focusing on specific medical domains across various AIIMS campuses. For instance, AIIMS Delhi specialises in gastro-intestinal disorders, women and child health, AIIMS Jodhpur researches geriatric health, AIIMS Nagpur contributes to cancer care research, and AIIMS Rishikesh works on geriatric advancements. These research centers develop integrated treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes through a collaborative approach.
Integrative healthcare in specialised medical services
The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, has been a pioneer in integrating Ayush practices within mainstream healthcare. It has initiated integrative medical services in critical fields such as cancer therapy, dentistry, emergency medicine, orthopedics, and dietetics & nutrition. AIIA has also established satellite clinical services at Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS Jhajjar, specifically focusing on Integrative Oncology at the National Cancer Institute – AIIMS, Jhajjar. This collaboration aims to incorporate Ayurvedic principles into conventional cancer treatments, providing a more holistic approach to oncology.
In addition to direct patient care, educational institutions play a key role in this integration. The Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) facilitates integrative research and inter-disciplinary consultations with allopathic doctors. Furthermore, the Ayurswasthya Yojana, launched by the Ministry of Ayush in 2021-22, supports two major components: Ayush & Public Health (PHI), which expands Ayush’s role in public health initiatives, and Upgradation to Centre of Excellence, which provides financial support to institutions striving to elevate Ayush practices to global medical standards. Under this scheme, nine reputed organisations have received funding for research in integrative healthcare models.
Collaborative research and clinical trials
Over the past five years, numerous collaborative research projects and clinical trials have been conducted under CCRAS, ICMR, and other institutions. Some key completed studies include:
· Evaluation of an Ayurvedic formulation for Dengue fever (KLE University, Belagavi)
· Clinical trials of AYUSH-D for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (AIIMS Delhi, RRA Poddar Medical College, Mumbai)
· Ayush-SL trial for chronic filarial lymphedema (Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata)
· Ayurvedic interventions in pediatric ADHD (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru)
· Ayurveda-based regimens for unexplained and anovulatory female infertility (IIT Mandi)
· Multimodal Ayurvedic interventions for knee osteoarthritis (AIIMS Delhi)
Government initiatives under NAM
The Ministry of Ayush is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission (NAM) through State/UT Governments. Over the past five years, a consolidated amount of Rs. 2765.29 crores has been released as financial assistance for various Ayush-related activities and healthcare initiatives.
Additionally, under NAM, 145 Integrated Ayush Hospitals (IAHs) have been approved for establishment across various states, supporting the development of healthcare infrastructure. Existing Ayush hospitals and dispensaries have also been upgraded, ensuring wider access to Ayush-based treatments.
Concept of Ayush Gram
Another initiative under NAM is Ayush Gram, which focuses on selecting villages for the adoption of Ayush-based healthcare practices and lifestyle interventions. The financial assistance of Rs. 3.0 lakhs per unit supports 2,000-3,000 people across 2-3 villages in a block. Over the past five years, 699 Ayush Gram units have been supported under this scheme, though district-wise data is not maintained at the ministry level.
The integration of Ayush with allopathic medicine represents a significant paradigm shift in India’s healthcare system. Through the establishment of institutional frameworks, integrative hospital departments, cutting-edge research, and national healthcare policies, the government is fostering an inclusive, patient-centric, and evidence-based medical model. As these efforts continue to expand, India is poised to develop a truly integrative healthcare system that harmonises the strengths of traditional medicine with modern scientific advancements, ensuring comprehensive healthcare solutions for the nation’s population.
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